Dissertation Research: Effects of Habitat Modification on Arthropod Community Structure and Food Web Dynamics in an Agroecosystem

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9412256 Doak This study examines the effects of habitat heterogeneity, spatial variability, and generalist predators on the structure of the arthropod communty on rice plants in the Sacramento Valley, California. The research employs large-scale manipulations (winter flooded vs. unflooded and organically managed vs. conventionally managed) and small-scale field experiments to assess the importance of particular species interactions in determining community structure. Path analysis will allow generation and testing of predictions about directions and strengths of interactions. This research will improve our understanding of the factors that control the structure of arthropod communities. The results of this study will have direct application to agriculture, especially in assessing the advantages and disadvanteges of organic farming practices and in rice pest control.